WGU Pharmacology D441 OA NEWEST VERSION
2025 ACTUAL QUESTION AND CORRECT DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS FROM VERIFIED SOURCES RATED
A GRADE
Principles of Drug Reconstitution - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-process of adding a liquid dilute
(SOLVENT) to a powdered med (SOLUTE) to make a solution (w med now in liquid
form)
-necessary bc certain meds doesn't stay stable long enough to be distributed in a
solution type of form so its sent in as a powder to be reconstituted with a liquid before
drug administration
-read directions on insert / label: will tell you the type and ain't of solvent to add (ex.
Water, sterile water, saline)
-use syringe and needle to draw solvent-> powdered med
-roll vial between hands to mix (making sure the med dissolves completely in the
solution)
-single dose (discard after admin) multi dose (stored and used later, document)
Pediatric Dosing - ✔✔ANSW✔✔- more sensitive than adults and may need to calculate
(wt, ht, physical condition, immature systems, and metabolism)
-make sure abiding by the 6 rights of drug admin
-pediatric doses are often less than 1 mL and require a tuberculin syringe for accurate
dosing
-pediatric meds are calculated using infant or child's Kg weight
CONVERTING LBS-> KG - ✔✔ANSW✔✔2.2 lb = 1 kg
X Kg= 1 kg/2.2 lb x 24 lb/ 1
Converting grams to kilograms - ✔✔ANSW✔✔1000 g = 1 KG
X kg = 1 kg/1000g x 2300 g / 1
Calculating safe dose range pediatric with given wt - ✔✔ANSW✔✔Example (DA
version)
1. Convert wt in lb->kg
2. Note the recommended dose range
3. Calculate the minimum dose first:
Xmg/dose=10mg/kg/dose X 1 kg/2.2lb x 22lb/1
4. Calculate maximum dose:
X mg/dose= 15mg/kg/dose X 1kg/2.2lb x 22lb/1
,5. Child may receive #-# mg of med as a single dose
Obstetric Nursing - ✔✔ANSW✔✔came from the word "obstetric" means "midwife".
-commonly used IV meds to prevent seizures in pregnant woman (Mg Sulfatem CNS
depressant)
CNS Depressants
Function - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-promote relaxation
-relieve anxiety
-help or induce sleep
-moderate sedation (before and during invasive procedures like colonoscopies
CNS Depressant
DRUG Types/ MOA - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-Benzodiazepines (diazePAM, midazolAM,
lorazePAM, chlordiazepoxide)
Long acting: clonazepam (Klonopin), Diazeopam (Valium), Flurazepam (Dalmane)
MOA:
-enhances the GABA effect of the CNS which is what promotes the sedation effect
Contraindications;
Benzodiazapines can induce daytime sleeping in few cases so to reduce that possibility,
Zolpidem is prescribed (non-benzo). Zolpidem is known to cause sleep walking
Midazolam (Versed) Indications - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-mainly used for moderate sedation
-helps for amnesia /sedation
-helps to reduce anxiety
Route: IV
Temaxepam (Restoril) - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-intermediate acting Benzo (induces sleep within
30 mins)
-take 1 hr before bed because it has a long onset of action
Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
NON-BENZODIAZAPINE/MISC Hypnotic - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-long term use
-provides a full 8 hrs of sleep
Ramelteon (Rozerem)
NON-BENZO/ MISC Hypnotic - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-structurally similar to melatonin (Which
regulates circadian rhythm)
-agonist at melatonin receptors in the CNS
-used as a hypnotic
,-used for pts who have trouble sleeping
Contraindications:
-people with severe liver dysfunction
Drug Interactions:
-fluconazole
-ketaconazole
-rifampin
Zolpidem (Ambien)
NON BENZO/MISC Hypnotic - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-short-acting non Benzo hypnotic
Adverse Effects:
-somnambulation (sleep walking)
Barbiturates MOA/ INDICATIONS - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-Barbiturates are CNS depressants
that act on the brain stem in the area called 'reticular formation'.. they act by reducing
the nerve impulses traveling to the cerebral Cortex
-can also help to treat seizures because it inhibits the GABA neurotransmitters in the
CNS
INDICATIONS:
-Sedation/ hypnotic
-*the use of these are no longer used for sleep induction*
-ultrashort acting: used for anesthesia for short surgery
-short acting:sedation, seizures
Barbiturates
Contraindications, Adverse Effects - ✔✔ANSW✔✔Contraindications:
-drug allergy
-pregnancy
-significant respiratory issues
-severe kidney/ liver disease
Adverse Effects:
-related to the CNS: lethargy, dizziness, hangover, paradoxical restlessness/anxiety
-these drugs prevent people from REM sleep—> leading to agitation
-when this drug is stopped, rebound phenomenon can happen lead to increased
nightmares
-increased falls in older adults
Barbiturates:
Drug Interactions - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-increases drug metabolism which can cause toxicity
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
, And Phenobarbital - ✔✔ANSW✔✔Pre-Op sedative
CNS Depressants
Side effects
Nurse considerations - ✔✔ANSW✔✔S/S:
-sedation
-amnesia
-*RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION*
Adverse Effects:
-headache
-drowsiness
-dizziness, lethargy
-vertigo (balance related)
-significant fall hazard in older adults
Toxicity: confusion, somnolence, coma
Contraindications:
-pts with acute Narrow angle glaucoma should not take it (increase intraocular pressure)
-don't combine with other CNS depressants
-Rifampin (decreases its effects)
-no grapefruit (increase serum concentration of the med)
-herbs that inhibit CYP3a4 (Kava, valerian)
-don't consume with alcohol (alcohol is a depressant and can increase effects)
-don't combine with opioids (morphine)
-don't combine with other muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine)
Nurse considerations:
-Do not discontinue abruptly (can cause rebound insomnia)
-supposed to be short term use
ANTIDOTE: flumazenil (short acting so will require multiple doses)
Centrally Acting Muscle relaxants
DRUG TYPES/MOA - ✔✔ANSW✔✔DRUG Types:
-baclofen (lioresal) centrally acting (CNS)
-cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) centrally acting
-Carisoprodol (popular when combined with a benzo and opioid its called the "Holy
Trinity'"--which produces a heroin like effect)**
Uses: Spasticity
Contraindications:
2025 ACTUAL QUESTION AND CORRECT DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS FROM VERIFIED SOURCES RATED
A GRADE
Principles of Drug Reconstitution - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-process of adding a liquid dilute
(SOLVENT) to a powdered med (SOLUTE) to make a solution (w med now in liquid
form)
-necessary bc certain meds doesn't stay stable long enough to be distributed in a
solution type of form so its sent in as a powder to be reconstituted with a liquid before
drug administration
-read directions on insert / label: will tell you the type and ain't of solvent to add (ex.
Water, sterile water, saline)
-use syringe and needle to draw solvent-> powdered med
-roll vial between hands to mix (making sure the med dissolves completely in the
solution)
-single dose (discard after admin) multi dose (stored and used later, document)
Pediatric Dosing - ✔✔ANSW✔✔- more sensitive than adults and may need to calculate
(wt, ht, physical condition, immature systems, and metabolism)
-make sure abiding by the 6 rights of drug admin
-pediatric doses are often less than 1 mL and require a tuberculin syringe for accurate
dosing
-pediatric meds are calculated using infant or child's Kg weight
CONVERTING LBS-> KG - ✔✔ANSW✔✔2.2 lb = 1 kg
X Kg= 1 kg/2.2 lb x 24 lb/ 1
Converting grams to kilograms - ✔✔ANSW✔✔1000 g = 1 KG
X kg = 1 kg/1000g x 2300 g / 1
Calculating safe dose range pediatric with given wt - ✔✔ANSW✔✔Example (DA
version)
1. Convert wt in lb->kg
2. Note the recommended dose range
3. Calculate the minimum dose first:
Xmg/dose=10mg/kg/dose X 1 kg/2.2lb x 22lb/1
4. Calculate maximum dose:
X mg/dose= 15mg/kg/dose X 1kg/2.2lb x 22lb/1
,5. Child may receive #-# mg of med as a single dose
Obstetric Nursing - ✔✔ANSW✔✔came from the word "obstetric" means "midwife".
-commonly used IV meds to prevent seizures in pregnant woman (Mg Sulfatem CNS
depressant)
CNS Depressants
Function - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-promote relaxation
-relieve anxiety
-help or induce sleep
-moderate sedation (before and during invasive procedures like colonoscopies
CNS Depressant
DRUG Types/ MOA - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-Benzodiazepines (diazePAM, midazolAM,
lorazePAM, chlordiazepoxide)
Long acting: clonazepam (Klonopin), Diazeopam (Valium), Flurazepam (Dalmane)
MOA:
-enhances the GABA effect of the CNS which is what promotes the sedation effect
Contraindications;
Benzodiazapines can induce daytime sleeping in few cases so to reduce that possibility,
Zolpidem is prescribed (non-benzo). Zolpidem is known to cause sleep walking
Midazolam (Versed) Indications - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-mainly used for moderate sedation
-helps for amnesia /sedation
-helps to reduce anxiety
Route: IV
Temaxepam (Restoril) - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-intermediate acting Benzo (induces sleep within
30 mins)
-take 1 hr before bed because it has a long onset of action
Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
NON-BENZODIAZAPINE/MISC Hypnotic - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-long term use
-provides a full 8 hrs of sleep
Ramelteon (Rozerem)
NON-BENZO/ MISC Hypnotic - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-structurally similar to melatonin (Which
regulates circadian rhythm)
-agonist at melatonin receptors in the CNS
-used as a hypnotic
,-used for pts who have trouble sleeping
Contraindications:
-people with severe liver dysfunction
Drug Interactions:
-fluconazole
-ketaconazole
-rifampin
Zolpidem (Ambien)
NON BENZO/MISC Hypnotic - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-short-acting non Benzo hypnotic
Adverse Effects:
-somnambulation (sleep walking)
Barbiturates MOA/ INDICATIONS - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-Barbiturates are CNS depressants
that act on the brain stem in the area called 'reticular formation'.. they act by reducing
the nerve impulses traveling to the cerebral Cortex
-can also help to treat seizures because it inhibits the GABA neurotransmitters in the
CNS
INDICATIONS:
-Sedation/ hypnotic
-*the use of these are no longer used for sleep induction*
-ultrashort acting: used for anesthesia for short surgery
-short acting:sedation, seizures
Barbiturates
Contraindications, Adverse Effects - ✔✔ANSW✔✔Contraindications:
-drug allergy
-pregnancy
-significant respiratory issues
-severe kidney/ liver disease
Adverse Effects:
-related to the CNS: lethargy, dizziness, hangover, paradoxical restlessness/anxiety
-these drugs prevent people from REM sleep—> leading to agitation
-when this drug is stopped, rebound phenomenon can happen lead to increased
nightmares
-increased falls in older adults
Barbiturates:
Drug Interactions - ✔✔ANSW✔✔-increases drug metabolism which can cause toxicity
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
, And Phenobarbital - ✔✔ANSW✔✔Pre-Op sedative
CNS Depressants
Side effects
Nurse considerations - ✔✔ANSW✔✔S/S:
-sedation
-amnesia
-*RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION*
Adverse Effects:
-headache
-drowsiness
-dizziness, lethargy
-vertigo (balance related)
-significant fall hazard in older adults
Toxicity: confusion, somnolence, coma
Contraindications:
-pts with acute Narrow angle glaucoma should not take it (increase intraocular pressure)
-don't combine with other CNS depressants
-Rifampin (decreases its effects)
-no grapefruit (increase serum concentration of the med)
-herbs that inhibit CYP3a4 (Kava, valerian)
-don't consume with alcohol (alcohol is a depressant and can increase effects)
-don't combine with opioids (morphine)
-don't combine with other muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine)
Nurse considerations:
-Do not discontinue abruptly (can cause rebound insomnia)
-supposed to be short term use
ANTIDOTE: flumazenil (short acting so will require multiple doses)
Centrally Acting Muscle relaxants
DRUG TYPES/MOA - ✔✔ANSW✔✔DRUG Types:
-baclofen (lioresal) centrally acting (CNS)
-cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) centrally acting
-Carisoprodol (popular when combined with a benzo and opioid its called the "Holy
Trinity'"--which produces a heroin like effect)**
Uses: Spasticity
Contraindications:
